From George Washington to John Stanwix, 16 June 1757
To John Stanwix
Fort Loudoun June 16: 1757
Sir
This Moment the Inclosed Letters came to my Hands. I have not lost a moments time in transmitting them to you, as I look upon the Intelligence to be of the utmost Consequence, If the Enemy is coming down in such Numbers and with such a Train of Artillery as we are bid to expect. Fort Cumberland must inevitably fall into their Hands as no Efforts can be timely made to save it. I send you Sir a Copy of a Council of War held at this Place, and I intend to persue the Resolution therein contained till I receive further Orders how to act. It is morally certain that the next object which the French have in View is Fort Loudoun, and that yet it is in a very untenable posture, they have no roads for Carriages into any other Province but thro’ this place and there lyes here a Quantity of Stores belonging to his Majesty & this Colony very much exposed and unguarded, I shall not take up your time, Sir, with a tedious detail of Facts. You will be a sufficient Judge of the posture of affairs from that which is already related—I shall only add that if the Enemy attempt this place I shall endeavour to defend it whilst there is a dawn of hope, I have dispatched an Express to Governor Dinwiddie, and another to Governor Sharp. I am Sir. Yours &c.1
Go. Washington
Copy, N: New York Colonial Manuscripts; copy, CSmH. Stanwix enclosed a copy of this letter, along with GW’s letter of 15 June, in his of 19 June to Lt. Gov. William Denny of Pennsylvania. Denny in turn sent another copy attested by Pennsylvania secretary Richard Peters to Lt. Gov. James DeLancey of New York. This second copy is probably the one now in New York State Library. A third copy, now in the Loudoun Papers (CSmH), was probably made at DeLancey’s direction and sent to Gen. Daniel Webb (, Col. Rec., 7:602–7).
1. See GW to Dinwiddie, this date.